ribs wrote:Saw someone say that only props and second rows have to bind properly. Is there a loophole for flankers?

No

It’s very clear in the rules and unbelievable that 2 weeks in a row in a high profile match that the illegal binding was allowed Below is from The Rules

The players in the scrum bind in the following way:The props bind to the hooker.The hooker binds with both arms. This can be either over or under the arms of the props.The locks bind with the props immediately in front of them and with each other.All other players in the scrum bind on a lock’s body with at least one arm.Sanction: Penalty.

At one scrum today I spotted both POM and Cloete binding illegally. According to Murray Kinsella POM's been doing it at every scrum so far this season and was even doing it occasionally last season. Given that it was mentioned during BT's coverage this afternoon it's surely only a matter of time before the match officials pick up on it.

Massive result for Munster. They defended well in the 2nd half and pinned Exeter into their own 22 for most of it.2 points, from what is on paper, their hardest game.Maybe they are getting better. Add Murray, Earls and Farrell in there and they could get to the semi again.

You know I'm going to lose,And gambling's for fools,But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!

ribs wrote:Saw someone say that only props and second rows have to bind properly. Is there a loophole for flankers?

No

It’s very clear in the rules and unbelievable that 2 weeks in a row in a high profile match that the illegal binding was allowed Below is from The Rules

The players in the scrum bind in the following way:The props bind to the hooker.The hooker binds with both arms. This can be either over or under the arms of the props.The locks bind with the props immediately in front of them and with each other.All other players in the scrum bind on a lock’s body with at least one arm.Sanction: Penalty.

It’s very clear in the rules and unbelievable that 2 weeks in a row in a high profile match that the illegal binding was allowed Below is from The Rules

The players in the scrum bind in the following way:The props bind to the hooker.The hooker binds with both arms. This can be either over or under the arms of the props.The locks bind with the props immediately in front of them and with each other.All other players in the scrum bind on a lock’s body with at least one arm.Sanction: Penalty.[/quote]

Back in the far distant past when I was coaching underage I was often asked by young players @ what is illegal@ and the answer was always the same whatever the referee says. In other words do what you need to do until you are told it is illegal and no one in charge has told Peter O'Mahoney that he is binding illegally YET